More than Books: Summer reading program set at Freeport library

There’s more at stake than the prizes for children who participate in summer reading programs.

By Carole Dickerson

Journal Standard

By Carole Dickerson

Posted May. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 18, 2013 at 5:23 PM

By Carole Dickerson

Posted May. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 18, 2013 at 5:23 PM

There’s more at stake than the prizes for children who participate in summer reading programs.

Research has shown that children who read four to six or more books during the summer maintain or improve their reading skills. On the other hand, children who do not read during summer vacation lose ground by September. This is why Freeport Library, along with so many public libraries across the United States, dedicates so much time and money planning summer reading programs.

Each year the Illinois Library Association creates summer reading program themes. This year, the theme is “Have Book — Will Travel!”

Our summer reading programs kick off Saturday, June 8, with a day-long opportunity to sign up for the programs and enjoy a special children’s performer at 1 p.m.

Preschoolers, elementary school children and teens can join in the celebration this year by either reading alone, reading aloud to someone special, or by being read to by a “reading partner” such as, but not limited to, Mom, Dad or a willing sibling or grandparent. Both readers and preschoolers get paperback book prizes, courtesy of the Freeport Public Library Foundation, just as soon as they sign up for the program.

Many of our Thursday afternoon children’s programs will be connected to the theme. Whatever the theme, our annual pet show is always one of the most popular Thursday afternoon specials. For the past several years, I’ve sponsored the pet show and provided prizes in memory of my beloved Standard Poodle, Charley the Wonder Dog. Local members of Therapy Dogs International will be show judges. Don’t get the idea that this is a dog-only affair, however. One year, a bunny took top honors, and another year it was, I kid you not, a rat.

As you can probably tell, I think it is important to have fun with the program and to make it fun for kids. I couldn’t be more serious, however, about the value of summer reading to Freeport children.

Coming soon: a library calendar listing all the summer events, including our Tuesday afternoon movie specials and activities for teens.

Not for Children Only

Thanks to our wonderful Library Foundation, not to mention generous local business support, we’re able to offer all kinds of prizes and rewards as incentives. More and more libraries today, including Freeport Library, have summer programs for teens and adults. Children are not the only ones who can have fun reading over the summer.